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Madison Water Utility makes decision on use of Well 8

Tuesday, July 23, 2013 - 3:46am

Madison Water Utility has no plans to pump water from Well 8 into our distribution system this summer. However, in order to ensure we are completely prepared should there be a major fire or other supply emergency in the area, we are bringing the well online in standby mode. The Well 8 reservoir will be filled and refreshed periodically and its water ready to run into the system if needed.

Madison Kipp Corporation has completed a modeling study which shows that a contamination plume emanating from MKC property will not reach Well 8. But we are taking the extra step of working with experts from the Wisconsin Geological Survey to confirm those results, which may take several months.

A groundwater monitoring well placed by Madison Kipp about 600 feet from Well 8 does contain traces of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), the same chemical contaminating groundwater beneath the company's headquarters. According to Madison Kipp, recent tests of the monitoring well detected PCE at very low levels of about 0.76 micrograms per liter. The federally mandated maximum contaminant level for PCE is 5.0 micrograms per liter.

It's important to note that no PCE has ever been found in the water at Well 8. We will test water from the well daily while it's online to make sure it's completely safe should we need it during an emergency. Well 8 will be online through the remainder of summer, typically when demand is the highest, and will be taken offline sometime in September.

You can find more detailed information regarding Well 8 at the following web page: